As my own Lockdown comes to an end and I go back to work next Monday [Yikes!] I was reflecting on how 6 month's furlough has affected my collecting and toy hobby in general.
So much time off allowed me to do a few things I probably wouldn't have done otherwise, namely restoring an old flimsy Ellegi boat box, which was fun and scratchbiulding some Thunderbirds vehicles, which was kicked off with re-legging a JR21 Thunderbird 2 kindly donated to Moonbase.
The scratchbiulding was a second wind of this for me. Last year I had a go at home-making as many SpaceX II vehicles as I could so I'd picked up a few techniques and materials doing that. The Thunderbirds models were great fun to create and a handy 'poor mans' substitute for the Bandai plastic toys, which do command high prices.
The other facet to the hobby that I've rediscovered over the summer is buying and Ebay-selling old toys, which I used to do in earnest back in the Noughties. I must say that this second go is huge fun and as always the best part is finding the toys at car boot sales and charity shops in the first place [no toy fairs though and these are unlikely to re-start till February next year I'm told].
I've found some amazing old toys this summer and will blog about them during the autumn.
I plan to continue buying and Ebaying after I start work again but winter, fatigue and a Corona second wave may have other ideas!
Has lockdown affected your toy hobby at all readers?
Had some good results during it, got 4 SpacexII toys and the 3 SpacexI box sets that I was after.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Kev! What's left to go for SpaceX wise?
DeleteI've got 8 SpacexII toys to get yet, not going to give up!
DeleteNo fairs, so no vintage toys to add to the collection. On and off lock-downs mean it is impossible to get to a model shop for long periods. Even buying Hot Wheels is an on/off affair. I have bought a few things off the internet, but not off Ebay and such. A lot more time on the computer and Moonbase Central. The British magazine Model Collector died, which is a serious blow, as it was one of my favourite magazines. I just want the fairs to start up again, so I can get back to real collecting, and see and handle all those lovely models.
ReplyDeleteIts always sad when a hobby magazine goes down the pan. I remember being gutted when Model Mart did the same in the early Noughties. I used to subscribe to it and get it delivered by a paper boy. Blimey, those were the days, I adored that magazine and began my collecting bug through its pages. I heard a toy stall holder at a car boot sale say that toy fairs won't be up and running till next February here in the UK Paul. I wonder if its the same in NZ?
DeleteSame as you really Woodsy - got back into feeble-evil-feeBay; spending the money I was saving by not doing the charity shops every day!
ReplyDeleteH
I've discovered the delights of a small scale world too Hugh and am really enjoying finding and ID'ing small toy figures. Sword and Sorcery and fantasy are my current faves! Charity shops every day sounds great. Have you got a few where you are?
DeleteNot being able to visit the UK, New Zealand or even Melbourne at the moment was a crimp on my wanderlust. The threat of a second wave of infections in NSW Australia has me wearing my mask when I go out.
ReplyDeleteBut apart from that, my projects keep me sane!
Yes, me and the Missus wear masks in any buildings and at car boot sales Looey. Its not compulsory though, at boot sales but it makes us feel safer. Glad to hear your projects are are going well and keeping you out of trouble!
DeleteIt hasn't really affected my collecting old toys as I get most of mine through ebay these days. (Gemini Space Capsule and Space Blimp Of Christmas for example.)
ReplyDeleteGreat results Kid! Fine Hong Kong plastic is simply the best, despite the general downer on plastics these days. As long as we are collecting the stuff we are keeping it from ending up in landfill is what I think! Where do you display your Blimp?
DeleteAt the moment, it's on top of a tall cd cabinet in front of the wall at the foot of my bed. Whenever I go into the smallest room to 'perch on the porcelain', I take it in and sit it on the windowsill so that I gaze at it while I'm in there.
DeleteYou are very passionate about your old toys Kid! Nothing like looking at them with tears in your eyes!
DeleteI prefer finding my personal treasures (usually toy/model trains) in person either in thrift shops, yard sales, or specialty shops, so there has been very little collecting on my end.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Captain. Nothing can replace the thrill of handling old toys especially when you find them for the first time under a pile of old hot water bottles! Yard sales are not common here, although I drove through a Yorkshire village the other day and every other house had a yard sale. Must have been organised. A really good idea!
DeleteSpent way too much money on Ebay. Also some parcels from Japan are still stuck over there. Hope they get here before Christmas !
ReplyDeleteYes, Ebay are still going strong Yorkie and by the Looks of it Amazon too [Steve Bezos has a few bob I hear!]. Sending parcels in the post is always tricky and I've been cautious about using MyHermes more for larger items I've sold but so far, fingers crossed, its all worked and everything has got where it should have. I've bought a few things from Japan via Noppin in the past and everything has arrived after a while. Covid will have slowed everything right down. It should be a good Christmas at Yorkie's!
DeleteI have no idea when the fairs will start up again. There is one in Auckland that is supposed to be on later this month, and it is not listed as having been cancelled, but it is not likely to go ahead unless we are down to Alert Level 1 again. If it does go ahead, it would only be a few days after the present Alert Level ends, assuming it is not extended again. Otherwise, there is a model shop that does carry some second-hand items, but it is getting out there. From where I live, I have to zig-zag across Auckland to get anywhere due to the way the bus routes run. There are a couple of general things on, Alert Level permitting, but they seldom have any interesting toys or other items. Your charity shops, garage sales, and flea markets clearly have a much better selection of toys than the ones in NZ.
ReplyDeleteget a wallpapering table set up outside your house Paul, fill it with stuff you don't want and start a yard sale trend!
DeleteI don't have any stuff I don't want.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately everything is still locked down/shut in my part of Oz-land and I can't travel more than 5 km from home. So no physical collecting for me. Even Ebay is a poor option at the moment - 2 recent purchases from the UK (comic and book which have not arrived more than 3 months after purchase) have never arrived so either world-wide postage has dropped off the twig, or Covid turns posties into tea leaves. At least those ebay sellers have been happy to provide refunds. So my only option is to look at what I already have...
ReplyDeleteCheers, Tony
Sorry to hear that Tony. Oz had it beat early on and then boom by the looks of it. Covid is rising like made again here and across Europe and I have to return to School tomorrow just as it is! if you ever want to send me snaps of your collections whilst your looking at them then fire away!
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